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George Thompson Virgin and Mary Ann Barker

This couple-in their early twenties when they heard, believed and embraced the Gospel plan, baptized in eighteen fifty-four, they started saving as never before. Amos, Nephi, Heber and Mercy Ann were the choice spirits sent to them to go to America was their goal, so labored long with whole heart and soul. They would be free from taunts and jeers from those who had been their friends for years. When young, Mary went to school, took a course in Belgian lace making, which was a source of earning money for more things needed, through her busy life she succeeded. But before they could complete their plan fate took matters out of their hands. A tragedy! Little Heber died! How could their dreams now be satisfied? When idle, George looked, tried hard every day at last, went to the railroad, there was good pay. December 18, ‘sixty-one, Mercy was born. They could get no help; George had to stay home. When he felt Mary was able, stronger, he said, “I must go; I can’t stay home longer.” She pleaded with him not to go today; she told him her dream; she had seen him killed. “That was just a dream,” her heart was not stilled. Soon two men came to bring the news, she said, “ You needn’t tell me; my husband is dead.’ She told of her dream, how she begged him, “Don’t go! “In sad, sobbing voice, soft and low, with three small children for which to care, without her husband, how would they fare? How could she enough courage find, to go and leave those loved ones. But she was certain what George would say, “You must go on; there is no other way.” So Mary, a widow at thirty-one made up her mind what had to be done. With children in bed, she worked early and late at her fine artwork, she had set a date. There was no trouble selling lace she made, nor any dispute over price they paid. Mary and children went aboard in May the ship William Tapscott, and were on their way. Eight hundred eight Saints were on the ship; all seemed anxious to make the trip. The ship, under direction of William Gibson, John Clark and Francis M. Lyman. Mary was weak; her health wasn’t good, so couldn’t care for the baby, as she should. On board, Ephrium Barton, a fine young man loved, carried and amused small Mercy Ann, giving her mother more time to rest, for the long ocean crossing and the trip west. Safe in New York Harbor at last, the long tiresome sea voyage was past. About two hundred Saints stayed in the east; worry of reaching America ceased. The sixth wagon train carried ill and weak across the plains to the “Haven they seek”. Boys and those able walked most of the way, at night they were weary, no thought of play. *October 6th was Nephi's sixth birthday, at the Wyoming, Utah line, there were two deaths today. Thirty Saints died and were laid to rest along the way as they traveled west. Among them so near the journey’s end were small Mercy Ann, and Ephrium, her friend. Wrapped in one blanket, placed in one grave; soon wagons rolled on, precious time to save. At all graves a hymn was sung and a humble prayer to guard from disturbance those buried there. Rocks covered graves, if enough were around, or large chunks of wood, where they could be found. Not many of our early Pioneers faced future ahead without some fears. Weary from traveling and all the grief they were ready to rest, what a relief! Entered Salt Lake Valley in 1962, in late October, the trip from Liverpool England and the long trek on plains was finally over. Two years they lived in Grantsville, a town, small, quiet, in which to settle down. Mary brought bobbins, pins and patterns with her, so she could start work in early November. The boys tended a small flock of sheep, didn’t earn much but helped with their keep. President Brigham Young called Mary to go with President Charles C Rich to Idaho with others to help settle Bear Lake. . They traveled and stopped at the north end of Bear Lake, called it St. Charles, their leader’s namesake. Homeless again in the fall of the year, no report of a welcome, nor even a cheer. With their families settled, men looked around to explore the valley, and what kind of ground. Sage-covered land was good, when cleared to raise vegetables, and other food. They planted crops in early spring, anxious to see what the season would bring. Women gleaned grain after reapers each fall in harvested fields once golden and tall. The boys, Nephi now eight and Amos ten, fished in creeks, lake, and trapped wild game. They were happy and ready to try, and found customers willing to buy. The brothers fished and hunted together, in winter’s snow or summer’s hot weather. Mary soon busy with her special art, always ambitious, she did well her part. Rich ladies from Montpelier and all around bought, the only place such lace could be found. Lace, I remember, was four inches wide with a beautiful scallop on one side. Pins were used to leave openings in lace, workings on patterns, were easy to place. There was plenty of wild meat; rabbits and wild fowl always a treat. Church was the center of life for the three, programs, musicals, and baseball, all free. The boys grew up and became fine men, honest and respected citizens. Each married and raised a fine family, lived in St. Charles for years peacefully. The valley was beautiful but too small for growing families to support them all. Amos and family were the first to go to Snake River Valley, still in Idaho. They settled in Salem, southwestern part liked the wide-open spaces from the start. A few years later, Nephi, Charles and Mary knew the best thing for them was to go there too. They sold homes, and chartered a car; there were many things to be moved so far. After forty years, Mary moved again; followed her families; she didn’t complain. Charles built her a cabin near his own, cozy, comfortable, her last home. Knowing all her families were near she passed away, her ninety second year.1907 1922 Even after all the trials of the past, her testimony was strong to the last, to Gospel principles and its truth, embraced long ago while in her youth. Omitted from this saga of the past are names of Mary’s sons, true to the last: Amos - married Frances Merkley, a good helpmate through life; Nephi - Cecily Hibbert, a good mother and wife. Both content with a Pioneer home, both happy to have a home of their own. What is praise for one is praise for the other, these dedicated homemakers wives and mothers.
A little more history:
Charles was the oldest grandson of Mary Ann Barker Virgin, son of Nephi C. Virgin and Mary Ann Pride Clissold. Grandma raised him with his father’s help after the couple separated when Charles was very young. Howard D. Haight guided the sixth wagon train.

NOTICE IN AN ENGLISH-Married Sept. 9 1852: George Thompson Virgin, 21, son of Samuel Virgin and Alice Keep married Mary Ann Barker, 21, daughter of Thomas Barker and Elizabeth Thompston. Witnessed by William Virgin and Tyler Butt Thomas Tylecote - Rector.


This history was sent to me by Olive Virgin Johns from Gridley, CA on 8 Dec 1986.

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